March 28, 2009
NEWARK, DE--The ODU Baseball Monarchs (7-14/2-3) defeated Delaware (14-8/3-2), 9-6behind the pitching of Brady Burchill (Hope, ND.) and the hitting of Max Most (Port Washington, NY. ) and Donnie Corsner (Virginia Beach, VA.).
Trailing, 3-1 in the top of the fifth, ODU rallied for four runs thanks to an RBI single by GerardHall (Washington, DC.), a two-run double by Corsner and a sacrifice fly RBI by freshman Brett Harris(Chesapeake, Va.).
In the sixth Joe Velleggia (Monkton, MD. ) and Jake McAloose (Virginia Beach, Va.) each knocked in a run to give the Monarchs a 7-4 lead. In the top of the eight, ODU scored on a balk and an RBI single by Most.
Senior righthander Brady Burchill pitched seven-plus innings with four strikeouts and onlytwo walks for his first win of the season.
Most, McAloose, Velleggia and Austin Wright (Virginia Beach, Va. )each had two hits on the day, while Most and Wright both scored twice. ODU pounded out 12 hits and UD had 11.
Delaware was led by Bill Merkler and Ryan Reed with two RBI's each. Merkler slammedhis ninth homer of the season in the seventh inning. The Blue Hens rank 18th nationallyin homers.
The two teams will play the third and deciding game of the series on Sunday at 1 p.m.at Bob Hannah Stadium.
ODU 010 042 020 -9-12-2UD 200 100 110- 6-11-2
ODU Battery: Brady Burchill, Robbie Watkins (8) and Joe VelleggiaUD Battery: Brad Miller, Michael Londino (6) and Ryan Reed
WP: Burchill (1-2) LP: Miller (3-2)HR- UD- Merkler (9)